In the last three years, about 1,600 acres of mangrove forest have been deforested on the isolated island of Urirchar in Sandwip upazila of Chittagong.
According to the forest department, 39 cases have been filed in Urirchar from mid-2023 to 2026 in connection with deforestation. Several of these cases are under trial in the forest courts of Sandwip and Noakhali.
A visit to Urirchar on the spot shows that vast areas once covered with dense mangrove forests have now turned into agricultural land. Forested areas have been cleared in various places and converted into agricultural land.
There are allegations of involvement of local political leaders, influential people and terrorist groups in this incident. There are some limitations of the forest department as well. However, the root causes have been explored out throughout the report.
Allegations of being ‘managed’ against the Forest Department
Local residents have also raised allegations of irregularities and negligence of duty against some officials of the forest department. Government land has been encroached upon for years through deforestation, with the involvement of influential groups, they add.
According to the Forest Department, the highest number of complaints regarding deforestation are against Union Jubo League President Ali Ahmed. There are 5 cases against him.
In addition, Md Shahin, who is known locally as a terrorist, Urirchar Union Awami League President Jahangir Member, Union BNP President Abdur Rahim, Union BNP Vice President Md Islam, Union Jubodal Convener Md Jabed, Awami League leaders Bechu Bepari, Hafez Sardar, and a few others are named.
The real criminals often remain elusive
Locals complain that the actual extent of deforestation is greater than what is recorded in the Forest Department’s records. At the same time, in many instances, cases have been filed against their associates or relatively less influential people instead of the actual influential people.
Milad Hossain, a resident of Urirchar, said, “A powerful syndicate is working behind the deforestation here. Many times, the deforestation is done by managing the responsible officials of the Forest Department. When the situation comes under much discussion, a relatively weak person is accused instead of the real masterminds.”
However, Ranger Humayun Ahmed of Urirchar Range denied these allegations. He said, “I joined here about four months ago. No such incident has happened during this time. I have no information about whether anyone has managed to cut down the forest before.”
Preparation of eviction case to recover occupied land
The Forest Department has announced that it will take initiatives to recover the land occupied by cutting down forest land. Ranger Humayun Ahmed said, “We will file eviction cases to recover the places where the forest has been cut down and land has been created. However, before that, a Diyara survey will have to be completed through the district administration.”
Manpower and equipment shortage
The Forest Department is facing an extreme crisis while carrying out its responsibility of protecting forests in a vast area like Urirachar. The concerned officials said that patrolling the entire range has to be done by relying on a motorcycle. Many times rented vehicles have to be used.
Forest Department officials claim that effective surveillance is not possible with a manpower of only 20 people on this island of about 105 square kilometers. A fast speedboat or trawler boat is needed. There is a housing crisis for the workers as well.
Forest Department employee Md Faisal said, “We have to work at the risk of our lives. It is often not possible to safely bring the wood or goods seized during raids. They have to be kept in the custody of the local chairman or member. When needed, police, coast guard or administration assistance is not available quickly.”
Erosion increases due to deforestation
Locals say that almost the entire area of Urirchar was once covered in mangrove forests. This coastal forest protected the island from natural disasters and served as an important habitat for biodiversity. But over the years, that natural protection zone has rapidly shrunk due to deforestation to create agricultural land, settlements and occupied land. With the process deforestation, the risk of coastal erosion has become higher.
They allege that influential people and terrorist groups have occupied the most forest land compared to the common people. They emphasized identifying the real forest eaters and bringing them under the law, effective initiatives must be taken to rescue and reforest the encroached forest land.
